More than six in ten Americans, 62%, would like their member of Congress to vote for President Barack Obama’s proposal to use military force against ISIS. On the much debated issue of deploying ground troops in the fight against the Islamic State, nearly two-thirds of Americans, 65%, think at least some ground presence is necessary. This includes 24% of residents who say a large number of ground troops should be used.

But, voters’ views of the president’s handling of the situation has become increasingly negative. A majority of voters, 56%, disapproves of how President Obama is handling ISIS compared with a divided electorate last fall. A majority of voters also continue to assess the job Mr. Obama is doing on foreign policy negatively.

Yet, views of Mr. Obama’s approach to the economy, and his overall job performance have somewhat improved.

While the job approval ratings of congressional Democrats, 30%, and Republicans, 33%, remain low, attitudes toward Congress have gotten better. Although a majority still has a bleak outlook about the country’s direction, Americans are the most optimistic they have been in nearly two years.

“Voters are more dismayed over President Obama’s handling of ISIS and they want action,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “Although Republicans are, overall, more hawkish on ground troops than Democrats, Tea Party Republicans are the most likely to want to send large numbers of troops to battle ISIS.”

70% of Republicans and 62% of Democrats are in favor of authorizing military force against ISIS. 59% of independents agree.

65% of Americans think ground troops should be used in the fight against ISIS. This includes 24% of residents who believe a large number of ground troops should be deployed, and 41% who support sending a limited number. More than one in four, 27%, opposes sending any ground troops, and 7% are unsure.

Republicans, 40%, are more than twice as likely as Democrats, 17%, to support the use of a large number of ground troops in the war against the Islamic State. 23% of independents also say a large number of boots on the ground is needed.

The president has lost support on the issue of ISIS. When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in October, voters divided. 48% approved of how Mr. Obama was handling ISIS, and 46% disapproved. Republicans and independents account for this change. Among Republicans, 10% approve of the president’s approach to ISIS now compared with 27% in the fall. 28% of independents, compared with 45% previously, have this view.

Obama’s Rating on Economy Best in Three Years… Uptick in Overall Approval Score

While 50% of voters disapprove of how President Obama is handling the economy, there has been an improvement in the proportion of those who approve, 45%. Three months ago, 41% gave the president high marks on the economy, and 55% thought he fell short in this policy area. In fact, Obama has reached his highest rating on his economic management since March 2012 when 46% approved of how he approached the economy. 51%, at that time, disapproved (Trend).

President Obama’s overall job approval rating is at 46% among registered voters. 50% disapprove. The president’s approval rating has improved from December. At that time 43% had a positive view of the president’s performance, and 52% thought it was lacking (Trend).

While views of the president’s job performance have gotten slightly better, Mr. Obama’s favorable rating is still upside down. 52% of voters have an unfavorable opinion of the president while 45% have a favorable one. Similar proportions of voters had these views three months ago when 54% had a negative impression of the president, and 44% had a positive one (Trend).

Although still low, the approval rating of congressional Republicans has gotten better. One in three voters, 33%, approves of the job they are doing, up from 28% in December. 61% currently disapprove of their performance, down from 66% three months ago (Trend). Attitudes toward Republicans in Congress have improved most among members of their own party. 60% of Republicans think well of how members of the congressional GOP are doing in office, up from 51% previously.

Looking at the direction of the nation, 59% of Americans think the country is moving in the wrong direction while 36% believe it is moving in the right one. Americans are slightly more optimistic about the course of the nation than at the end of 2014. At that time, 31% had a positive view of the nation’s direction while 64% had a more pessimistic one (Trend). Democrats are more upbeat in their opinion. 60% of Democrats think the country is on the right track while 50% felt that way in December.

What do voters nationally think of how President Barack Obama is handling ISIS? What do they think of the president’s approach to foreign policy, overall, and do Americans want Congress to allow military action against ISIS? Find out in the latest national McClatchy-Marist Poll.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker lead the pack of potential Republicans vying for the party’s 2016 presidential nomination. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is the only other possible contender with double-digit support. Among Republicans and Republican leaning independents including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate, Bush, 19%, and Walker, 18%, are virtually tied. But, while Bush receives just slightly more support than he garnered in McClatchy-Marist’s December survey, Walker’s support has grown from only 3% last time.

Walker’s gains are across the board. But, key to his emergence is his appeal to conservative Republicans and Tea Party supporters.

When looking at what Republicans want in their nominee, there has been a slight, but interesting, shift. While nearly six in ten Republicans and Republican leaning independents say they value a candidate who stands on conservative principles over someone who can win, the proportion who stresses electability has increased.

Turning to the contest for the Democratic nomination, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is still the odds-on favorite, leading her potential rivals by more than four-to-one. Like their Republican counterparts, some Democrats have reconsidered what is more important in their party’s nominee. In December, while nearly six in ten Democrats and Democratic leaning independents preferred a candidate who would re-direct the nation from President Obama’s policies over a candidate who continued them, Democrats now divide.

How do several of the Republican candidates fare against Clinton in potential general election contests? With only four points separating them, Walker and Clinton are most competitive. But, Clinton also fails to reach 50% against Walker, Bush, and Senator Marco Rubio from Florida.

“The most notable change in this poll from December is the emergence of Scott Walker as a contender for 2016,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “On the Democratic side, Clinton is still way out in front. But, it will be interesting to see if the email issue impacts her support among Democrats moving forward or if it taps into concerns some voters have about her for the general election.”

In the race for the 2016 Republican nomination, 19% of Republicans and Republican leaning independents including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate support former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. A similar 18% favor Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker while former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee receives 10%. Nine percent back retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson whereas Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has 7%. Six percent support New Jersey Governor Chris Christie while Senator Marco Rubio of Florida has 5% of the vote. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas receives 4%, and former Texas Governor Rick Perry has 3%. Former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and former business executive Carly Fiorina each garners 2%. One percent supports Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. More than one in ten, 13%, is undecided.

Bush and Walker emerge from a very crowded Republican field. When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in December, Bush’s support was 16%. Walker has gained the most ground. His support has grown by 15 percentage points, from 3% three months ago to 18% now. Huckabee, the only other candidate with double-digit support, is little changed from December when he received 12%. Christie’s support has dropped from 10% to 6%.

Walker is bolstered by very conservative Republicans, 24%, and Tea Party supporters, 25%.

Looking at Bush’s support, he leads the field among moderate Republicans with 26%.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton leads her potential rivals by more than four to one. 60% of Democrats and Democratic leaning independents including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate favor Clinton. Vice President Joe Biden follows with 13%, and Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts garners 12%. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont receives 5%. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and former Senator Jim Webb of Virginia each has 1%. Nine percent are undecided.

Looking to the 2016 presidential race, a Republican top tier has emerged. Which GOP hopefuls lead the pack? Do they pose a significant threat to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who leads the potential Democratic field?

Find out in the latest national McClatchy-Marist Poll. To read the full McClatchy article, click here.

Taking an early look at the key presidential caucus and primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, a Republican front-runner fails to emerge. In Iowa, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker vie for the top spot among the state’s potential Republican electorate.

The picture is much clearer on the Democratic side. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is the odds-on favorite for her party’s nomination. Clinton outpaces her closest Democratic competitors by very wide margins in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.

However, in hypothetical general election matchups, despite edging her GOP rivals in Iowa and New Hampshire, Clinton falls short of 50% in each of the three states polled. In South Carolina, when paired against Bush or Walker, Clinton garners about what President Obama received in 2012 against Mitt Romney.

“Top tier? The morning line for these critical states points to a rough and tumble Republican nomination battle. Seven of the 11 potential GOP candidates has double-digit support in, at least, one of the states, but no one breaks 20% anywhere,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “Not so for the Democrats where Hillary Clinton has a commanding lead.”

55% of South Carolina residents do not think Senator Lindsey Graham should run for president in 2016. 36% think he should toss his hat into the ring. The potential Republican electorate in the state mirrors the opinions of residents.

In New Hampshire, Clinton, 48%, edges Bush, 42%. Against Walker, Clinton has 49% to 42% for Walker.

Bush, receives 48%, and Clinton, 45%, in South Carolina. Clinton garners 46%, and Walker receives 46% when matched in the state.

Voters on the Issues

In Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, more than six in ten voters in each state find a candidate who favors raising taxes on the wealthy to be acceptable. This is especially true in Iowa, where 73% of voters have this view. Majorities of voters in all three states also find a candidate who supports repealing the federal health care law, who backs immigration reform, or who promotes action to combat climate change to be preferable. A candidate who supports Common Core education or favors increased military action against ISIS is also deemed satisfactory to majorities of voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.

However, registered voters are less likely to find a candidate who opposes same-sex marriage to be acceptable.

On many of these questions, there is a notable divide between the potential Republican and Democratic electorates.

Poll points:

Job Creation and Economic Growth Key Issue

Residents in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina consider job creation to be the most important issue in the 2016 election. Jobs and the economy is also the most pressing concern for the potential Democratic and Republican electorates with the exception of Iowa where the deficit and government spending is the top priority for the potential Republican electorate for 2016.

Poll points:

30% of adults in Iowa consider job creation and economic growth to be the most important issue in the 2016 presidential election. Deficit and government spending, 21%, military action against ISIS, 17%, and health care, 15%, follow. 11% cite income equality while looking out for the interests of women is the priority for 3% of Iowa residents.

Among Iowa’s potential Republican electorate, the deficit and government spending, 32%, tops the list followed by military action against ISIS, 25%, and jobs, 23%. The potential Democratic electorate prioritizes jobs, 32%, followed by health care, 20%, and income equality, 19%.

There is little consensus about Iowans’ second most pressing issue. Similar proportions of adults mention job creation, 24%, health care, 22%, and the deficit and government spending, 20%. 15% put military action against ISIS at the top of their list while 12% cite income equality. Six percent select looking out for the interests of women.

Job creation and economic growth, 33%, is the most important issue to New Hampshire adults. The deficit and government spending, 19%, health care, 18%, and military action against ISIS, 14% follow. 11% place income equality at the top of their priority list while only 2% think looking out for the interests of women to be the most important issue in the upcoming election.

When looking at New Hampshire’s potential Republican electorate, jobs, 33%, rank number one. The deficit and government spending with 28% and military action against ISIS at 20% follow. Among the potential Democratic electorate, jobs, 34%, is tops followed by health care and income equality, each at 21%.

When it comes to the second choice issue for New Hampshire adults, job creation and economic growth, 22%, and health care, 22%, top the list. Military action against ISIS, 20%, and the deficit and government spending, 18%, are close behind. Income equality, 9%, and looking out for the interests of women, 7%, round out the list.

32% of South Carolina adults think the key issue in the 2016 election is job creation and economic growth. Health care, 20%, military action against ISIS, 18%, and the deficit and government spending, 15%, also rate highly. Eight percent believe income equality is the most crucial topic of discussion while women’s interests receive 3%.

South Carolina’s potential Republican electorate points to jobs, 29%, as the top priority for 2016. The issues of military action against ISIS with 28% and the deficit and government spending at 24% are also seen as important. For South Carolina’s potential Democratic electorate, jobs, 35%, is crucial followed by health care, 28%, and income equality, 15%.

Looking at the second most important issue for South Carolina adults, 25% choose job creation and economic growth. 23% select health care and 22% pick the deficit and government spending. 14% mention military action against ISIS, and 8% cite income equality. Seven percent think looking out for the interests of women should be the priority.

U.S. Senate Race in New Hampshire Competitive

Looking at the 2016 election for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire, Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan and incumbent Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte are closely matched.

Poll points:

48% of New Hampshire registered voters support Hassan in the race for U.S. Senate while Ayotte garners 44%. Seven percent are undecided.

Approval Rating Roundup

In Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, President Barack Obama’s job performance rating is upside down. The governors in each state are rated highly.

In a poll conducted just hours after President Barack Obama made the case for congressional authorization to use military force against ISIS, a majority of Americans tells the NBC News/Marist Poll they support their congressperson voting for the use of U.S. military action against the Islamic militants. However, residents divide about whether or not President Obama’s proposal will receive bipartisan support. With nearly seven in ten residents saying they are aware of the president’s request, the news of possible military action against ISIS has permeated Americans’ consciousness.

While the president is requesting limited use of U.S. ground troops, where do Americans stand? About two-thirds say at least some presence of ground forces are needed. In fact, about one in four Americans thinks a large number of boots on the ground is necessary. Not surprisingly, partisan differences exist.

Despite many Americans’ belief that the U.S and its allies will be victorious in defeating ISIS, confidence in President Obama’s strategy to combat ISIS is mixed.

When it comes to President Obama’s legacy, Americans divide about whether the president will be remembered more for ending a war or for starting a new one.

“This challenge will bear on the president’s legacy,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “By nearly two to one, Democrats think President Obama will still be remembered for ending a war, but by more than three to one, Republicans see the president’s legacy as having started a new one.”

54% of Americans want their member of Congress to vote to authorize U.S. military action against ISIS. 32% are against such approval, and more than one in ten, 13%, is unsure. A majority of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents think their congressional representative should support the president’s request.

Residents divide about whether President Obama’s proposal will have bipartisan support in Congress. 44% think it will not, and 40% believe it will. 16% are unsure. A majority of Democrats, 56%, and a plurality of Republicans, 44%, say the president’s plan will not receive bipartisan support. A notable 20% of Republicans are unsure. Independents divide. 44% think partisanship will be put aside while 43% believe it will be front and center in the debate.

Looking at Americans’ level of confidence in President Obama’s strategy to combat ISIS, there is a divide. 48% do not have very much faith in the president’s approach. 45% express confidence in the president’s proposal. Not surprisingly, 82% of Republicans have little or no confidence in the president’s military strategy. Most Democrats, 71%, are confident in the president’s approach. Independents are more divided: 44% express confidence and 49% do not.

When it comes to President Obama’s legacy, 44% of Americans say President Obama will be remembered more for starting a new war than ending one. 40% think the opposite will be true. A notable, 16%, are unsure. More than six in ten Republicans, 62%, and a majority of independents, 51%, believe President Obama’s legacy will be defined by beginning a new war. 59% of Democrats think he will be remembered for ending a war.

Many registered voters nationally think the GOP will have more influence in directing the nation in 2015 than President Barack Obama. However, only 35% think this will bring about change for the better.

Congressional Republicans take control of the legislature amid continued dissatisfaction with elected officials in Washington and pessimism about the overall direction of the country. In fact, the job approval rating of the Democrats in Congress is at its lowest point, 27%, and the approval rating of congressional Republicans stands at 28%. President Obama doesn’t fare much better. His approval rating is at 43% among registered voters, and his favorable rating is upside down. On the specifics of Mr. Obama’s job performance, fewer voters think well of how he is handling foreign policy than previously, and he receives a lukewarm rating on his approach to the economy.

More than six in ten voters say the new Republican-controlled Congress should amend, if not repeal, the 2010 health care law. About one-third think the GOP should focus on other items on the national agenda.

Americans are not overly optimistic about the future of their family’s finances.

“The balance in power has changed in Washington,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “But, voters need to see results to reverse their sense of dysfunction in government.”

When it comes to who voters want to have more influence, 48% prefer the GOP to take the lead while 42% want Obama in charge. Looking at party, while 93% of Republicans want the GOP to have the most impact, 82% of Democrats look to President Obama to take the lead. 47% of independents turn to the GOP for leadership, and 40% put their stock in President Obama.

Seven in ten voters, 70%, think it is better for government officials to compromise to find solutions than stand on principle. Democrats, 82%, are more likely than Republicans, 59%, to choose to compromise. More than one-third of Republicans, 36%, value principle over compromise compared with 15% of Democrats who have this view.

Close to two-thirds of Americans, 64%, are pessimistic about the direction of the country. 31% say the nation is on track, and 6% are unsure. Earlier this fall, 61% of residents said the country was going in the wrong direction, and 35% reported it was moving in the right one (Trend).

The job approval rating of congressional Democrats is at its lowest point, 27%, since McClatchy-Marist began reporting this question. The previous low for Democrats was 28% and occurred in November of 2011 (Trend). In October, 33% of voters approved of how the Democrats were doing their job.

On his handling of the economy, 41% of voters approve of how the president is tackling the issue. This is unchanged from 41% in McClatchy-Marist’s previous survey. 55% currently disapprove of how President Obama is dealing with the economy (Trend).

More than six in ten registered voters nationally, 61%, want the Republicans in Congress to make changes to the 2010 health care law. This includes 23% who want the law repealed and 38% who favor modifications to the legislation. 34%, though, say the GOP should focus their efforts on other issues. While 53% of Democrats want the GOP to focus on other issues, and 48% of Republicans want to eliminate the law, 38% of Democrats and 35% of Republicans want changes to be made to the law. A plurality of independents, 43%, would like the health care law modified.

51% of Americans expect their personal family finances to stay about the same in the coming year. 32% think they will see an improvement, and 17% believe their family’s financial situation will get worse. In October, 54% reported their money matters would be status quo, 30% thought they would get better, and 17% believed they would get worse(Trend).

Two familiar Republican faces, former presidential nominee Mitt Romney and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, lead the crowded field of potential candidates for the GOP nomination in 2016. Looking at what Republicans and Republican leaning independents want in a nominee, close to two thirds prefer a candidate who stands on conservative principles rather than a nominee who can win. However, there has been a slight shift in opinion toward selecting a nominee with a viable chance of winning the White House.

On the Democratic side, there has been a major change in what the Democrats want in their presidential nominee. Close to six in ten Democrats and Democratic leaning independents prefer a candidate who will move the nation in a new direction and not someone who will continue the policies of President Barack Obama. One year ago, Democrats divided between charting a new course and continuing the current Democratic agenda.

What does this mean for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton? If she were to seek the Presidency, Clinton is the odds-on favorite to win her party’s nomination. In several hypothetical matchups, Clinton also leads her potential Republican opponents by double digits.

But, could a third party candidate be a spoiler? Looking at a generic ballot which includes an independent choice, neither a Democrat nor a Republican has the edge. Close to one in five says they would support an independent candidate.

“Open seats often are a political free-for-all, and this one could very well end up that way,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “But, right now, Clinton is in the driver’s seat both for her party’s nomination and the general election.”

If he decided to run in the 2016 Republican primary, former GOP nominee Mitt Romney would be the choice of 19% of Republicans and Republican leaning independents to represent his party. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush receives 14% of the vote. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee each has the support of 9% while retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson garners 8%. Five percent are for Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Texas Governor Rick Perry each garners 4% while Representative Paul Ryan from Wisconsin, former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker each receives 3%. Ohio Governor John Kasich has the support of 2% while Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and former business executive Carly Fiorina each has the backing of 1%. More than one in ten, 13%, is undecided.

Without Romney in the primary, Bush takes over the lead with 16% of Republicans and Republican leaning independents followed by Huckabee with 12% and Christie with 10%. Carson receives 8%, Ryan garners 7%, and Paul has 6%. Cruz and Perry each has the support of 5% followed by Rubio, Walker, Kasich, and Santorum with 3% each. One percent is for Jindal, and the same proportion, 1%, supports Fiorina. Nearly one in five, 18%, is undecided.

Hillary Clinton is the overwhelming favorite in the Democratic primary. 62% of Democrats and Democratic leaning independents support the former Secretary of State. Vice President Joe Biden is a distant second with 11% while Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has 9%. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont receives 4%. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has 1% as does former Senator Jim Webb of Virginia. 11% are undecided.